About Us

Working Heritage manages heritage places on Crown land in Victoria, Australia, through conservation, adaptation and re-use. We are responsible for 16 heritage places across metropolitan and regional Victoria – from the Former Royal Mint in central Melbourne to court houses in rural towns. We specialise in managing government assets of heritage significance that are no longer needed to their original function – our role is to revitalise them to ensure they have a purpose. Finding contemporary uses for these places contributes to their continued care.

Working Heritage acknowledges Victoria's Aboriginal communities and pays respect to their Elders both past and present. The organisation acknowledges the richness of Aboriginal cultures in Victoria and their connection to Country.

Our approach

We are non-profit and self-funded – funding for our work is generated by the places we manage. Our buildings and land are leased to a mixture of tenants including restaurants, arts organisations, community groups and commercial businesses. Working with tenants we conserve cultural significance, develop compatible uses and adapt buildings to suit contemporary needs. These places have special qualities that draw people to them, and by reusing them they can continue to be physical touchstones of community identity.

Our organisation

Working Heritage is an incorporated Committee of Management appointed by the Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change under the Crown Land (Reserves) Act 1978. The Committee is supported by Executive Officer, Ross Turnbull, and a small team of staff who manage Working Heritage’s projects and operations.

Our publications

Conference Paper, International Conference on Managing Urban Cultural Heritage

In October 2018, Working Heritage staff members Clare Chandler and Ross Turnbull presented a paper at the International Conference on Managing Urban Cultural Heritage held in Georgetown, Malaysia. The paper, entitled 'The Potential of Neglect: Creating Authentic Spaces in the Historic Buildings of Changing Cities' examines Working Heritage's approach to the regeneration of South Melbourne Temperance Hall. Read the conference paper.